Page 80 of Just a Friend for the Lion
Carter’s drivers are frozen mid-bite with their catering plates.
And Carter?
His golden eyes are blazing.
Proud. Hungry. Hopeful.
And for the first time since that disastrous night, I let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—I was meant to be his.
“Wow. That was intense.”
That’s me. Out loud.
Because apparently my filter took the night off.
But honestly? I can’t stop myself.
I step closer—close enough that Carter’s arm brushes mine, close enough that he doesn’t look so damn alone standing in front of his mother’s storm.
The garage is silent now. Dead silent.
Carter exhales like I just handed him oxygen. His hand brushes mine, warm, strong, and shaking just a little.
His mom sputters, red-faced, clutching her pearls like they might keep her afloat.
And me? I just square my shoulders, because I might be a normal, but tonight?
I’m his normal.
“Carter, are you really going to turn your back on me for this human?”
“Yes, Mom. I really am. You see, MJ is my fated mate. She’s my whole heart. I love her. You hear me, Kitten, I love you,” Carter says, and that is all I need to hear.
“You heard him,” I finish, my voice sweet as caramel but sharp as a pizza cutter, “now why don’t you take Uncle Uzzi’s advice and go explain yourself to your King and Queen? Because your son has already explained himself to me. Loud and clear.”
I feel Carter’s golden eyes on me, heat and pride rolling off him in waves.
And for the first time since this mess started,I believe him.
Chapter 28
Carter
My heart is doing cartwheels. Somersaults. Fuckingbackflips.
MJ just told my mom off.
Told her to butt out. Told her sisters would claw her eyes if she came near again.
And then—like it was nothing—she called me her mate.Her mate.
I thought that alone would drop me to my knees.
But then, I told her I loved her.
And she smiled.
Not a polite smile.
